The Boys in the Band was originally a play that premiered off-broadway in 1968 written by Mart Crowley. 50 years later it had a Broadway debut winning the Tony for best play. In 2020 Ryan Murphy produced the movie that was released on Netflix last month.
It is directed by Joe Mantello and starring Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesus, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tic Watkins.
The premise of the story, set in the 1960s New York, a small group of men are meeting up to celebrate the birthday of Harold, played by Zachary Quinto. The party is being hosted by Michael, played by Jim Parsons. But the underlying theme is about self love and acceptance as at the time homosexuality was not accepted by the greater community and in some areas of America is was illegal or seen as a mental illness.
The story examines the idea of what it is like to exist in a world where you are not accepted but you manage to create an existence with a small group of people, who have become your family. There is a lot of anger, resentment and love within this group. But it highlights the importance of having a chosen family that accept and love you no matter the circumstance.
Directed by Joe Mantello, this isn’t an easy film to watch as a gay man. It opens your eyes to the importance of understanding LGBTQI+ history but also understand the pain and suffering the LGBTQI+ community must have experienced on a daily basis just to come to some sort of acceptance within themselves, sometimes they didn’t with devastating affects.
Jim Parsons as Michael is outstanding. The level of detail with his characterization reminded me of many friends, who love to throw a party, tries to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves and then after a drink or two really lets their feelings known. Jim Parsons’ performance is amusing and painful.
Andrew Rannells as Larry is smug and cocky, but that is the character, the performance is stellar and it is worthwhile watching just for his performance.
Stand out performance was Robin de Jesus as Emory, flamboyantly over the top but always wanting a good time and to have fun. There is something innocent and endearing about the character as you know the over the top behavior is just a facade of someone who is trying to hide their true self, as you learn throughout the movie.
The remarkable thing about The Boys in the Band is that it highlights a point in history just before the Stonewall protests that galvanized LGBT rights and equality fight. But it is a great story about a group of friends who get together to celebrate a friends birthday but delve into what it is like to be a gay person in the early 1960s.
The Boys in the Band is currently available on Netflix.